Best Credit Cards for Active-Duty Military
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Many credit cards offer good “civilian” perks, but a handful also offer outstanding military benefits for active-duty service members.
To save big on fees and interest during your service, here are some cards worth keeping top-of-wallet.
Top credit cards for active-duty military
Citi Double Cash® Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Citi Double Cash® Card
Our pick for: Cash back / paying off debt
Earn 1% back on every dollar spent and 1% back on every dollar paid off. $0 annual fee. Requires average to excellent credit.
SCRA policy: For SCRA-eligible accounts opened prior to active duty, Citi offers 0% APR waived annual and other fees, such as balance transfer fees and late fees, during active duty, according to a Citi spokeswoman.
Benefits
High flat rewards rate of 1% + 1%
Annual fee of $0
No balance transfer fees charged on SCRA-eligible accounts
No penalty fees, such as late fees
Drawbacks
The card's standard offer does not include a sign-up bonus
Charges foreign transaction fees
Although the Citi Double Cash® Card has not traditionally offered a sign-up bonus, the card currently has this offer in effect: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Verdict
For SCRA-eligible service members paying off credit card debt — who can avoid this card's balance transfer fees and get 0% APR during active duty — the Citi Double Cash® Card is hard to beat. Its industry-leading rewards also make it a top choice for everyday spending.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Our pick for: Luxury travel
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠. $550 annual fee. Requires excellent credit.
SCRA policy: For SCRA-eligible credit card accounts, Chase waives applicable fees and reduces interest rates to 4% while you’re on active duty and for a year afterward, according to a Chase spokeswoman.
Benefits
High rewards rate: Earn 3 points per dollar spent on travel and dining. Purchases made through Chase earn even more: 10 points per dollar on Chase Dining, hotel stays and car rentals and 5 points on air travel. Earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Rich travel benefits, including a travel credit of up to $300 a year and Priority Pass Select membership
Big sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
Drawbacks
High annual fee of $550 (after SCRA benefits end)
Not a good option for folks who don't spend a lot on travel and dining
Verdict
Among luxury travel cards, Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a top choice. With Chase's solid SCRA benefits, it's even more worthy of your attention — especially if you spend plenty on travel and dining.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Our pick for: General travel
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel. $95 annual fee. Requires good credit.
SCRA policy: For SCRA-eligible accounts opened before active duty, Capital One waives all credit card fees and caps interest rates at 4% APR during active duty and for a year afterward.
Benefits
High rewards rate of 2 miles per dollar spent on most purchases
Big sign-up bonus: Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
No foreign transaction fees
Drawbacks
Annual fee of $95 (after SCRA benefits end)
Not a good option for folks who rarely travel
Verdict
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is the perfect card for travelers who want to keep their options open. Its robust ongoing rewards, strong SCRA benefits and big sign-up bonus make it an excellent pick.
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Our pick for: Fair credit
1.5% cash back on all purchases. The annual fee is $39. Requires fair credit.
SCRA policy: For SCRA-eligible accounts opened before active duty, Capital One waives all credit card fees and caps interest rates at 4% APR during active duty and for a year afterward. Benefits
High rewards rate of 1.5% cash back on all purchases — an especially good deal for average credit
Potential for credit line increase after paying on-time for as little as six months
No foreign transaction fees
Drawbacks
Annual fee of $39 (after SCRA eligibility ends)
No sign-up bonus
Verdict
For service members working toward a better credit score, the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a cost-effective option with excellent SCRA benefits and outstanding rewards.
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